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Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Cast: Then and Now

I'd like to take a minute just sit right there... and see what's happened since he became the prince of a town called Bel-Air?

What has the cast of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" been up to since their lives got "flipped, turned upside down?"

Photo: NBC

Then: Will Smith was on the verge of bankruptcy in the early '90s when NBC approached him to star in "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." Built around a fictionalized version of himself, street-smart Will Smith is sent to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle in Bel Air where their opposing lifestyles often crash. Photo: NBC/Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Now: Smith has made it big since then. He has starred in numerous films, displaying his versatile acting skills in films such as "Hancock," "I Am Legend," "Seven Pounds," and the "Men in Black" franchise. He has also lent his voice as the lead protagonist in the computer-animated comedy, "Shark Tale." So it's no surprise that with his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, they raised two children who have become prominent actors.

Photo: Getty Images

Then: Alfonso Ribeiro started his career in the '80s on Broadway headlining "The Tap Dance Kid" before landing the role of the pompous Carlton Banks, a role that Fresh Prince fans will forever associate with Tom Jones' "It's Not Unusual."
Photo: NBC/Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Now: After Fresh Prince, Ribeiro appeared as Carlton Banks in a crossover on LL Cool J's "In the House." In addition to acting he directed Tyler Perry's "Meet the Browns" and "Are We There Yet?" and hosted the game show, Catch-21.
He married, divorced and remarried, and has a daughter Sienna with his first wife.

Now: Right after the show's end, Ali debuted a gold-certified album, "Kiss the Sky." She had a recurring role on "The Young and the Restless" and will star in "The Impossible Dream," expected to come out in 2013.

Photo: Splash News

Then: Karyn Parsons portrayed Hilary Banks, who undoubtedly had beauty but not so much brains. She was best known for her ditzy, spoiled personality and sheltered lifestyle.
Photo: NBC/Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Now: Since Fresh Prince's end, Parsons has strayed away from acting, her most recent role being Toni from "The Job." In addition to caring for her two children with husband director Alexandre Rockwell, she spends most of her time working with her own film company, Sweet Blackberry.

Photo: Getty Images

Then: Every sitcom troublemaking teen is nothing without a strict, authoritative father-figure standing in the way of his schemes, and James Avery served as that to TV nephew Will Smith.
Photo: NBC/Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Now: Avery made numerous TV appearances since Fresh Prince, on shows such as "Judging Amy," "Grey's Anatomy," and "That 70's show." He passed away on December 31st, 2013 due to complications from open-heart surgery. He was 68.

Photo: Getty Images

Then: For the first three seasons, Janet Hubert played headstrong, no-nonsense matriarch and college professor Vivian Banks.
Photo: NBC/Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Now: Since leaving the role of Aunt Viv, Hubert has made occasional TV appearances on shows such as "Gilmore Girls," "One Life to Live," and "Friends."

Photo: ABC

Then: In succeeding Janet Hubert as Vivian Banks, Daphne Reid brought a softer element to the once ambitious character who was then reimagined as a homemaker. Photo: NBC/Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Now: Since Fresh Prince, her biggest role was playing Frances Hunter on "Eve." She has found new endeavors in running husband Tim Reid's Tim Reid Scholarship Foundation in Virginia and the New Millenium Production Studio.

Photo: Getty Images

Brought into the series after Janet Hubert's pregnancy, Nicky, portrayed by Ross Bagley, was the pint-sized light of reason, often providing motivation for other characters. Over the years, Bagley has made very sporadic appearances, his last credited role being in 2004. In 2012, he obtained a degree in cinema and television arts from California State University Northridge in hopes of writing and producing TV shows someday.
Photo: NBC/Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Then: Joseph Marcell brings comic relief of his own to the show's storyline as the Banks family's cynical, yet lovable butler, Geoffrey.Photo: NBC/Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Now: Now residing in England, Marcell continues to act. He appeared in soaps such as "The Bold and the Beautiful" and "EastEnders." His most recent projects, however, have been onstage. In 2012 he performed in Richard III during The Old Globe's 2012 Shakespeare Festival.

Photo: Getty Images

Then: Jazz, portrayed by Will Smith's musical partner Jeffrey Townes, is Will's dim-witted best friend whose insults towards Uncle Phil often result in him being literally thrown from the house.
Photo: NBC/Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Now: Though Townes hasn't kept with acting since the show's end, he has been busy with his music. He has put out multiple albums and continues to tour.

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Then: Tyra Banks played Will's spunky girlfriend, Jackie, a childhood friend from their playground days in Philadelphia.
NBC/Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Now: Aside from modeling and hosting "America's Next Top Model," Banks has been hosting her own talk show, "The Tyra Banks Show and recently produced another modeling franchise, "True Beauty."

Photo: Getty Images

Then: Lisa, played by Nia Long, was Will's love interest after Jackie. They tried twice to marry, but their second attempt turned complicated when Will's mom started dating Lisa's dad.
Photo: NBC/Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Now: Long has kept up with acting since Fresh Prince ended. She's starred in "Judging Amy" and "Third Watch," and has a recurring role in "The Cleveland Show."